Guitar Potentiometers part 2, Comparing Linear/Audio Taper and Selecting Pots

http://www.planetz.com/?p=255 .
In this video, I demonstrate the sound differences between Linear and Audio taper pots, and compare audio tapers in Alpha, Bourns and CTS pots.

I then review the other factors you need to consider when buying pots: tolerances, dimensions, split shaft versus solid shaft, etc.

In part 3, I'll cover how to enlarge the holes in a semi-hollow body to fit the new 3/8" shaft pots.

Audio examples recorded through my Vox VT30 amp and a high quality Rode NT1 mic.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• potentiometer
• pot
• taper
• linear
• audio
• logarithmic
• log
• Bourns
• PDB241-GTR01
• CTS
• EP086
• Alpha
• JS
• split
• solid
• knurled
• electronics
• P-90
• pickups
• Epiphone
• Riviera
• P93
• DIY
• howto
• Vox
• VT30
• Rode
• NT1
• Microsoft
• Cinema
• Lifecam
• Sony
• Vegas

[alvin10388]

Thank you for very helpful video and could you please explain what is logarithmic audio taper and are there any linear taper to match this?your help much apriciated.

[johnplanetz]

@alvin10388 - the words "audio taper" and "log taper" are used interchangeably. Please see my video "Potentiometers - How They Work, Disassembly"

[ChronoGXay]

Could you not have a multimeter rigged into your computer via USB so that you could sample each potentiometer at a high rate and see exactly what is going on with the taper of each potentiometer and select the best one?...

[johnplanetz]

@ChronoGXay - that's a good idea, but I don't have a usb multimeter. I just did measurements by hand (wrote down measurements at 10 positions around the pot), and showed the graphs comparing them at 2:15.

[threedanman]

Thanks! Only for me it's more interesting to see what a pot does turning it down from full open to a max quarter turn back.

When playing I turn it about a quarter back to clean the amp up and then turn it open for a solo. On an audio pot that last part sometimes can be a bit too sudden so there is a too small turn needed to get what I want. Then a linear pot works better because that last part is more smooth and you don't need to be so exact. It would be great to see a video of you doing that.

[johnplanetz]

@threedanman - you're right, I should've showed more examples like that. Yes, it works exactly as you describe. Figure a linear volume pot at 80% will have about 100k of resistance for your signal, while an audio pot (depending on the taper) may have more like 150k resistance. So with the linear taper, you have a bit finer control in that top 20% of the turn.

[pleximars]

excellent video, well thought out and very imfomative.

[IndridKoldt]

very interesting, to my ear the CTS audio taper sounds better than the Bourns.

[ZipZipZippyZ]

Great videos! Just discovered them. I am building my first guitar and am trying to learn as much as I can on wiring and how different pots and wiring setups affect the sound you get. Your videos are really going to help me. THANK YOU!!

[ZipZipZippyZ]

Great videos!! Just discovered them. I am building my first guitar and tryinhn

[MegaCrappyusername]

5:16 oh immaturity....

[oneawakenedsoul]

Hi, thanks for the useful demo. I am now well informed on the difference in sound between the two types and I can make a decision on the pot I need. Bravo! Peace.